In the Spotlight: Dawn Monique Williams

Name: Dawn Monique Williams

Role: Director

Why Directing?

It’s all I ever want to do. I believe I have stories to tell, and am audacious enough to think they can impact/change/heal lives. This is how I make my contribution to humanity. Well directing and my biting wit.

"Twelfth Night"
UMass, 2011

How and why did you get involved with Hampshire Shakespeare & this production?

I am truly passionate about contemporary Shakespeare performance and since moving to Massachusetts in 2008, I have been eager to get involved with Hampshire Shakes. The stars aligned so that I could spend sometime under them with Shakespeare this summer.

Do you have a favorite role from any past productions?

Hmmm. I spent some time on the boards in my youth, but truthfully I retired from the stage long ago. I would however make my grand return to play Cleopatra, Lady Macbeth, and/or Shylock.

"The Tempest"
Aces Wild, 2010

What is your Favorite Word?

Well my favorite words are probably not appropriate for this blog. LOL. But I do rather enjoy the word SAUCY.

What is your Least Favorite Word?

No

What sound or noise do you love?

I love the sound of well spoken verse…and every time my daughter Jordyn laughs.

What sound or noise do you hate?

I HATE the sound of metal scrapping metal

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

That question is blasphemous.

"Little Shop of Horrors"
UMass, 2010

What profession would you not like to do?

Of all the things I’d never want to do, I would really NEVER want any job that requires me to deal with the anatomy or bodily fluids of others. Like I really couldn’t be a dentist, just couldn’t do it.

What is your earliest memory of theater?

I saw THE WIZ when I was 6 and understood immediately that “this brand new world might be a fantasy, but it’s taught me to love, so it’s real to me.”

Why is Theatre Necessary?

It absolutely, unequivocally, just is. Theatre has the power to heal the world and hold its history all at once.

Has performing Shakespeare given you any interesting insights into Shakespeare?

Performing Shakespeare, or seeing Shakespeare performed is the ONLY way to gain insight into the plays.

What’s next for you?

Well I am currently assistant directing Romeo & Juliet, directed by Daniela Varon, at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox as a Drama League Directing Fellow. I will assist on another show in the fall and in December have my NYC directing debut when I direct a one act as part of the Drama League DirectorFest.

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Dawn Monique Williams (Director) is a 2011 New York Drama League Directing Fellow. Select directing credits: "Steel Magnolias"," In the Blood", "Anna Bella Eema"," Medea"," Trojan Women"," Burial at Thebes"," Children of Eden", "Spelling Bee", "Little Shop of Horrors", "Scapin the Cheat", "Tempest", "Much Ado About Nothing", and "Twelfth Night". Assistant directing: Hartford Stage, TheatreWorks (California), and Cal Shakes. Training: MFA, UMass Amherst.